Building a Bright Future Through Grants
Awarding grant money is a large part of our mission to enhance the quality of life throughout Marshall County. We seek to help organizations who serve our county through innovative and creative projects, or those whose programs are responsive to the changing needs of our community.
The Community Funds and the Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund Grant Applications will open June 1, 2026!
Available Grants
Marshall County Community Foundation accepts proposals for grants made from two categories of funds:
Community Funds and the Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund.
If you are a 501(c)(3) organization, we invite you to explore our available programs and apply for grants in line with your needs.
Community Funds
Typically, the Foundation makes grants two times per year from the Community Fund. Applications are typically due February 1 and August 1, and recipients are announced in April and October, respectively.
Preference will be given to Community Fund grant requests of $5,000 or more.
For project requests less than $5,000, please consider applications to United Way R4 Grant, or Marshall County REMC Operation Round Up.
Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund
We accept grant proposals once a year for the Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund. The purpose of this endowment fund is to provide funding for environmental, educational, or recreational projects directly related to Lake Maxinkuckee.
Proposals are due by August 1 for this fund.
Awarded Grants
Grant Application Process
We accept grant proposals online through Grant Interface. If you have not applied before, you will need to create a new account.
Please reach out to Trinity Robinson at trobinson@marshallcountycf.org or 574.935.5159 if you have any questions about our grant application process.
Community Fund Grants
MCCF considers grant requests only from organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS status or organizations with 501(c) IRS status whose request is charitable in nature for the following:
- Start-up costs for new programs or the expansion of needed programs
- One-time projects or needs
- Other projects or needs specifically identified by MCCF
Additionally, we do not consider grant requests for:
- Individuals
- Sectarian or religious purposes
- Long-term funding
- Operating budgets
- Post-event or after-the-fact situations
Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund Grants
MCCF considers grant proposals for this fund for projects that benefit environmental, educational, or recreational projects directly related to Lake Maxinkuckee.
Evaluation Criteria for Grant Proposals
Every proposal we receive is evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Organization
- Program/project goals and objectives
- Personnel
- Activities
- Materials
- Timeline
- Evaluation plan
Additionally, we judge proposals based on information about:
- Clear evidence of project need and innovative approaches involved.
- Practical solutions to community problems and quality-of-life improvements for Marshall County residents.
- Collaboration with partners and broad community impact.
- Expected number of residents that will be served and geographic area impacted.
- Financial stability of the organization and the financial controls in place to ensure effective fund utilization.
- Avoidance of duplicating existing services in the community.
- Capacity to leverage additional funding (e.g., matching grants) and ability to sustain the project post-grant.
Preference is given to applicants who have not received a grant from Marshall County Community Foundation in the past six months.
Ready to Apply?
We accept grant proposals online through Grant Interface. If you have not applied before, you will need to make a new account.
